How to Choose the Best Ergonomic Chair: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting a chair that fits the user is crucial while looking for the best ergonomic chair. Not every chair with the term "ergonomic" has every adjustable function required to be considered ergonomic. This advice will assist you in choosing more wisely.

1、Seat Height Adjustment:  

Both slightly lower and slightly higher heights than your ideal setting should be included in the seat's height range for maximum flexibility. Seated heights between 15" and 22" will fit people who are 5'0" to 6'4" tall. You can use our Ergonomic Office Desk, Chair, and Keyboard Height Calculator to determine the ideal height for you. Pay close attention to the seated height range of any chair you are contemplating because not many ergonomic chairs have such a wide range. A variety of height cylinders are available on many ergonomic office chairs, allowing the chair to be ordered with the appropriate height range for the user. To make it simple to change the seat pan height while seated, the seat must to have a pneumatic height adjustment feature. By adjusting your office chair to the proper sitting height, you may reduce the strain on your spine and knees. Your thighs should be nearly parallel to the floor, your feet should be flat on the floor, and your knees should be somewhat lower than your hips.

2、Seat Pan Size:  

When you sit back in your chair, the seat pan should be deep enough to support the majority of your upper leg without touching the back of your knees. At least one inch should separate the seat from your hips. On the other hand, it should not be so wide that the user has to stretch their arms out to the side in order to rest them on the armrests.

Because weight capacity is a safety metric, it is not a reliable indicator for larger users when selecting a chair. Both the weight capacity and seat size must be suitable for the user. Your body should fit the seat.

3、Seat Pan Depth Adjustment:

When two to four fingers can fit between the front of the seat and the back of your knee, the seat pan of a desk chair is in the right position. When the seat depth is set correctly, the user can sit all the way back, allowing them to use the chair's lumber curve and position the seat's curve to fit their own curves. There are two methods for adjusting the seat depth. When seated in a chair, you can move the seat in and out using a mechanism on the seat called a seat slider. Typically, a back depth adjustment is a knob on the back of the chair that moves the back in and out instead of the seat. This kind of adjustment is more appropriate for a one-user chair, is more difficult to make while seated, and may need assistance.

4、Chair Mechanism Selection:

The mechanism regulates the movement of the back and seat. To modify the office chair, the user pushes, pulls, or twists controls, which are usually levers beneath the seat. For the same chair, certain models could provide many mechanism options. The two most widely used mechanisms are as follows:

Multipurpose Mechanism This mechanism's extensive range of adjustability makes it the favored choice. Both the tilt and the back and seat angles can be adjusted independently of one another. As a result, the chair can be locked into an endless variety of positions. This kind of mechanism will tilt or rock back from the seat's center. Chairs with this kind of mechanism include the Bodybilt J3507 and the Neutral Posture NPS800.

The Mechanism of Synchro-Tilt When you lean back, the seat and back tilt together. Usually, the seat back tilts back two degrees for every degree that the seat pan tilts. This mechanism is not as ergonomic as the multipurpose mechanism because it has less adaptability. In order to avoid pressing against the back of the thighs when reclining, a chair with a synchro-tilt mechanism should have a waterfall front or flexible front seat edge. Additionally, this kind of mechanism tilts or rocks from the middle of the seat. Chairs with this kind of mechanism include the Allseating Cpod Chair and the Raynor Ergohuman.

5、Backrest Height Adjustment:

To accommodate your lower back's lumbar curvature (also known as the lorthotic curve), the chair's backrest should be able to slide up and down. A popular alternative is a lumbar support that may be adjusted in height.

6、Back Angle Adjustment:  

Additionally, it will help the chair fit your body type. Leaning back in your chair helps your lower back by supporting the weight of your upper body. With the locking back angle adjustment feature of many chairs, you can choose the most comfortable upright or reclined position and then lock it. A supported recline angle of 110° to 130° results in the lowest levels of lumbar disc pressure and back muscular activity. It is usually better to be in a reclining position.

7、Back Tilt Tension Adjustment:

You may change the amount of effort needed to recline to your body weight by turning this adjustment knob. The Humanscale Liberty Chair and Freedom Chair do not need a tension adjustment because they are counterbalanced to the user's weight.

8、Lumbar Support:  

Both vertical and depth adjustment are features of the finest lumbar support. This is particularly crucial if the chair will be used by several persons or if the user has lower back problems. The simplest lumbar supports are vertically adjustable as the chair back is raised and lowered. If a fixed depth lumbar fits properly and can be adjusted vertically, it is suitable. Many people might not be able to fit into a chair that does not have an independently height-adjustable lumbar support or an adjustable back height.

9、Armrests: 

At the very least, the armrests ought to be height-adjustable. In order to avoid obstructing your elbow movement when not in use, they should be below thigh height at their lowest point (ideally, they can be adjusted from 7.1" to 10.6" above the compressed seat height). A swing-back arm, on the other hand, enables the user to move the arm out of the way when not in use. To enable a more customized fit, arms should ideally be fore-aft and width-adjustable. Because it enables some users to properly place their arms for support while typing, a rotating arm is a helpful feature.

10、Stable Wheel Base and Quality Casters:

There should be at least five spokes on the chair base. When you lean back in your chair, four-spoke bases have a tendency to topple over. High-quality casters will move smoothly over a range of floor surfaces. Some chairs have a choice between carpet casters, which are used on carpet, and hard floor casters, which are used on tile, wood, or laminate flooring. Glides, which are flat, non-rolling feet, are another option that many chairs have.

11、Headrest:

In addition to supporting your head, a headrest can lessen the strain on your neck. You should definitely think about purchasing a chair with a headrest if you have neck problems.

The Last Test: Prior to Purchase, Try

Keep in mind that if the priciest chair with all the amenities does not fit your body, it is not the best ergonomic chair. Try the chair yourself whenever you can, but use this checklist as a guide. Make sure it is cozy and supportive, change all the settings, and sit in it for at least fifteen minutes. Your future self will appreciate the extensive research when they are not burdened with back pain or exhaustion.

By giving these customizable qualities first priority, you may get past the marketing gimmick and locate a chair that actually provides ergonomic advantages, keeping you comfortable, productive, and healthy throughout the workday.